AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

CAA-AD-080/2000R1

Supersedes CAA-AD-080/2000

Date of issue: August 30, 2001

AIRCRAFT -CENTRE TANK (ATA 28) - INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT OF SEAL

Applicability: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A310 aircraft, all certified models, all serial numbers except for aircraft on which AIRBUS INDUSTRIE modification No. 12288 has been embodied in production (AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletin (SB) A310-28-2146 in service).

Effective date: October 04, 2001

Compliance: Required as indicated in DGAC AD 2000-336-311(B) R1.

Remarks: The compliance of this AD must be recorded in Aircraft Logbook, where applicable the requirements of this AD must be integrated into Aircraft Technical Documentation. Address inquiries concerning this AD to: Civil Aviation Authority, Airworthiness Division, Ruzyne Airport, 160 08 Prague 6, Czech Republic, tel: 420 2 33320922, fax: 420 2 20562270.

Ing. Pavel MATOUŠEK

Director of Airworthiness Division

CAA CZ

DGAC AD ref.: 2000-336-311(B) R1

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE

A310 aircraft

Centre tank metallic vapor seal (ATA 28)

APPLICABILITY:

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A310 aircraft, all certified models, all serial numbers except for aircraft on which AIRBUS INDUSTRIE modification No. 12288 has been embodied in production (AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletin (SB) A310-28-2146 in service).

REASONS:

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A310 aircraft have a metallic and elastomer vapor seal which provides an insulation through a forced air circulation between the centre tank and the air conditioning pack bay.

Damaged metallic vapor seals have been reported on several in-service A310 aircraft.

Such damage could, in the event of a fuel leak from the centre tank, have a negative impact on the vapor seal system efficiency.

In order to evaluate the fleet situation, a programme of non-repetitive inspection of the metallic vapor seal was rendered mandatory by Airworthiness Directive (AD) 1999-180-282(B).

As the analysis of the findings has confirmed the fatigue sensitivity of the metallic vapor seal due to vibrations, the present AD introduces a mandatory programme of repetitive inspections for the metallic vapor seals as soon as they reach or exceed 16,000 flight hours.

The purpose of Revision 1 of this AD is to revise the "Applicability" paragraph in order to refer to SB A310-28-2146 associated to modification AIRBUS INDUSTRIE No. 12288.

ACTIONS:

1) Prior to the accumulation of 16,000 flight hours for the metallic vapor seal or within 600 flight hours following the effective date of this AD at original issue, whichever occurs later, check the integrity of the metallic vapor seal and take corrective actions if necessary, within the time limits and in accordance with the instructions of AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletin (SB) A310-28-2138.

2) Repeat these inspections in accordance with the requirements of § 1) above at intervals not exceeding 600 flight hours.

3) If all components of the metallic vapor seal are simultaneously replaced, the metallic vapor seal can be considered as new in accordance with the instructions of § 1) above.

4) Inform the manufactures (AIRBUS INDUSTRIE) of all findings, whatever they may be.

Note: No further action is required after accomplishment of SB A310-28-2146 at original issue.

REF.:

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE Service Bulletins

A310-28-2138 at original issue

A310-28-2146 at original issue

(Any later approved revision of this SB is acceptable)

AD 1999-180-282(B).

This Revision 1 replaces AD 2000-336-311(B) issued on July 26, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Original AD: August 05, 2000

Revision 1: August 18, 2001